Christmas in the Crown Center District

For generations of Kansas Citians, it wouldn't be Christmas without an annual visit to Crown Center and Union Station. From family photos with the 100-ft Mayor's Christmas tree, to outdoor ice skating at the Crown Center Ice Terrace, to a visit with Santa at the Gingerbread Station, to the incredible live show Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer- Crown Center is the perfect destination to make memories with your family this holiday season. 

Start your holiday shopping at Holiday Swing at Crown Center.

Dates: 

• Saturday – Sunday, November 25th-26th
• Fridays– Sundays December 1st- 17th
• Fridays, 4pm – 9pm
• Saturdays, 10am – 8pm
• Sundays, 10am – 4pm

Kansas City's top destination for handmade holidays, The Holiday Swing, returns for it's 13th year at a new venue: Crown Center Square! Ice skating, The Mayor's Christmas Tree, holiday decor and lights plus your favorite makers, bakers, shakers alongside food trucks, seasonal sips and more. You don't want to miss this fantastic holiday experience. 

*This event is FREE to attend*

• Christmas at Crown Center

  Arrival of Mayor’s Christmas Tree on Crown Center Square Nov. 2

  As the first sign of the holiday season, the 100-foot-tall Douglas fir arrives at Crown Center on Thursday, Nov. 2, at 9 a.m. The tree travels on its custom-made trailer, making a 2,000-mile road trip from the forests of Oregon through six states to Kansas City. This marks the 51st year for the tree to stand on Crown Center Square as a symbol of community generosity. The Crown Center team works to re-assemble and decorate the tree throughout the month of November in preparation for the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Event on Friday, Nov. 24.

  Arrival of Santa Claus Friday, Nov. 24 | 10 a.m.

  To kick off the holiday season, Santa Claus will arrive in front of the Crown Center Shops in a horse-drawn carriage and greet those gathered outside. Santa will then make his way to Santa’s Gingerbread Station (Crown Center Shops, Showplace, Level 1), where he resides through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

  Santa’s Gingerbread Station Friday, Nov. 24 – Saturday, Dec. 23 | 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday–Saturday; 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, Sunday, Dec. 24 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

  All aboard for a favorite holiday tradition at Crown Center! Kids and families can meet and have their photo taken with Santa Claus in the Crown Center Showplace (Crown Center Shops, Showplace, Level 1). A professional photographer is available to capture this magical holiday memory, with photo packages starting at $12, or you may take your own. FREE admission.

  Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament On-Sale Date Starting Friday, Nov. 24 | 10 a.m.

  The 2023 Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament, crafted from the wood of the 2022 tree, is called “Holiday Wreath.” This year’s limited-edition ornament was designed by Hallmark artist Ramon Olivera and proudly made in Kansas City. The design celebrates the large wreath that hangs over the entrance to the Crown Center Shops during the holidays. Proceeds from the sale of the ornament benefit the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which helps fellow Kansas Citians in need celebrate the holiday season. Starting Nov. 24, the ornament can be purchased for $16.95, plus tax, from Crown Center Customer Service (Crown Center Shops, Level 2), or call 816-274-7251.

  Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Friday, Nov. 24 | 5:30 p.m.

  The 100-foot-tall Mayor’s Christmas Tree – one of the nation’s tallest – is the centerpiece for an illuminating holiday celebration presented by Crown Center. The towering tree stands as a symbol of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund, which helps fellow Kansas Citians in need celebrate the holiday season. After the holidays, wood from the Mayor’s Christmas Tree is made into commemorative ornaments that are sold the next year to benefit the Fund. Cocoa and Campfires, located near the Crown Center Ice Terrace, provides an area to enjoy hot beverages and s’mores by the fire pits on Crown Center Square. During the lighting ceremony, Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Quinton Lucas and guests will countdown to flip the switch that turns on more than 30,000 white lights on the Mayor’s Christmas Tree and around Crown Center Square.•A fireworks display caps off the event. Entertainment beings at 5:30 p.m. FREE admission.

• Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

  Nov. 7 - Dec. 31 at The Coterie. Back by popular demand, the beloved television classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Rudolph and his friends, Clarice, Hermey the Elf, and Yukon Cornelius learn what makes you different makes you special. As one reviewer put it, “If adorable is at the top of your Christmas list, save an afternoon or evening for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical... as rich as eggnog!"

• Union Station

  Holiday Reflections at Historic Union Station

  For the fourth consecutive year, the wildly popular indoor holiday walk-thru village, “Holiday Reflections” -- presented by BOK Financial -- will take place in Union Station’s Grand Plaza November 20^th through January 1^st. Filling 27,000 sq. ft., the magical experience (with tickets starting at just $7) features spectacular sights and sounds of the season: sky-reaching lights, a forest of decorated trees, dazzling overhead ornaments and more. Primed with anticipation, this Holiday season will be the Station’s biggest and brightest yet.

  NEW Liquid Fireworks Indoor Water Show

  And while Kansas City’s famous outdoor fountains will soon be turned off for the season, Union Station’s newest addition to Holiday Reflections “Fountain Forest” will be turned on. This 4,500 sq. ft. indoor, illuminated fountain will make its debut inside Holiday Reflections. From the makers of similar fountains around the world – currently delighting guests at Universal Studios, Sea World and Walt Disney World – this custom fountain features a 30-foot liquid fireworks dance show set to the beat of favorite holiday songs.

  Guests will be able to enjoy the dazzling fountain show along with the entire indoor walk-thru Holiday village every day of the week, starting November 20th. Also new this year, all 17 iconic Grand Plaza windows will be covered with “12 Days of Christmas” themed blackout curtains (more than 4,500 square feet of window coverings) making the brilliant lighting experience the same regardless of the time of day or night.  

  Amazing Holiday Selfies and a Million New Memories

  Holiday Reflections will include a line-up of Selfie Scenes to snap hundreds of holiday pics:

  • New! Kiss Me Wall (we’ve invited Travis & Taylor to test it out)
  • New! Santa’s Rocket Sleigh Hanger (we love reindeer, but rocket power will knock your socks off)
  • New! Lollipop Land (for the love of candy, this is so cool)
  • Singing Reindeer & Penguins (seriously, it doesn’t get any better)
  • Santa’s Fireplace Scene (a family classic photo-op favorite)
  • Alpha-Lit KC Marquee Display (the best lit selfie moment in town)
  • & More!

  At 27,000 sqf, Holiday Reflections is filled with hundreds of sparkling trees and tens of thousands of dazzling lights. Returning this year, Holiday Reflections will also include scheduled Santa visits, mini-train rides (a favorite for the little ones), a holiday themed VR ride, and 10,000 square feet of Holiday model trains.

  Kansas City’s Newest and Largest Holiday Pop-Up Bar

  For an adult’s night out -- and new this year and for three nights only -- Tinsel & ‘Tinis – an after-hours (ages 21+) themed evening experience in Holiday Reflections, complete with eight bars featuring a seasonally-themed drinks and more. Tinsel & ‘Tinis is scheduled for December 15^th, 16^th and 22^nd from 8:30 – 11:30 PM and is sure to sell out at only $15 per person. Guests are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets NOW to Kansas City’s largest Holiday Pop-Up Bar!

  Pricing: (The below does not include the additional 10% preservation fee)

  • Monday – Friday: $7
  • Saturday & Sunday: $10

  Hours of Operation: 10 am – 8 pm Daily

• Crown Center Ice Terrace

  Nov. 3, 2023 – Mar. 10, 2024: The Crown Center Ice Terrace, Kansas City’s original public outdoor skating rink, opens Friday, Nov. 3, for its 51st season. Opening Day will feature a free, early-morning session (6-9 a.m.) with complimentary skating, coffee, and hot chocolate. For the rest of the season, the Ice Terrace offers public ice skating seven days a week through Mar. 10, 2024 (closed on Christmas Day). For more details about the Ice2Terrace hours, admission fees, skate rental, private parties, skating lessons, and more, visit CrownCenter.com/iceterrace

• Union Station

  Christmas Films at Union Station

  Stay warm and cozy inside Kansas City’s favorite holiday destination, enjoying a variety of unique sights, sounds and experiences this holiday season. Connect with Kansas City’s holiday history and make new memories of your own in this most elegant holiday setting.

  • National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (November 17th – November 22nd)
  • Elf (November 24th – December 7th)
  • Polar Express (December 8th – December 31st)

  Price: General Admission $3.75

  Show Times:

  • Sunday thru Friday – 12:30 pm, 4 pm, and 7:30 pm
  • Saturday – 9:00 am, 12:30 pm, 4 pm, and 7:30 pm
  • *No showings on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

  For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit https://tickets.unionstation.org/.

• Sea Life Kansas City

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• LEGOLAND Discovery Center

  Legoland Discovery Center Kansas City offers a fun, highly interactive and educational 2-to 3-hour indoor experience. Based on the ever-popular Lego® brick, Legoland Discovery Center provides a range of interactive play areas.

• Fritz's

  Old-fashioned diner with a train theme serving American breakfasts, burgers & soda-fountain treats.